Bodily injury liability
May pay covered medical expenses, lost income and legal defense arising from injuries you cause to other people.
What liability insurance pays for
Liability coverage responds when an insured driver is legally responsible for injuring someone or damaging their property, subject to the policy’s terms and limits.
Property damage liability
May pay for covered damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or other property.
It does not repair your own car.
Liability-only coverage generally does not include collision, theft,
vandalism, fire or weather damage to the vehicle listed on your policy.
California minimum liability limits
| Coverage | Minimum limit |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury—one person | $30,000 |
| Bodily injury—one accident | $60,000 |
| Property damage—one accident | $15,000 |
These limits apply to policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2025. State minimums are a legal floor, not a guarantee that every loss will be fully paid. You remain responsible for amounts above your limits.
When liability-only may—or may not—make sense
It may fit when
- Your vehicle is owned outright
- You could replace or repair it yourself after a loss
- The cost of physical-damage coverage is high compared with the vehicle’s value
Think twice when
- Your lender or lease requires comprehensive and collision
- Losing the vehicle would create a serious financial hardship
- You rely on the vehicle for work or essential transportation
Common questions
Can liability-only insurance include an SR-22?
Yes. An owner auto policy may include liability coverage and an SR-22 filing when required. The vehicle and filing must be structured correctly.
Does liability-only cover an uninsured driver hitting me?
Not automatically. Uninsured motorist coverage is separate and depends on what you selected. Review the declarations and endorsements rather than assuming it is included.
Can I remove full coverage from a financed car?
Your loan or lease agreement usually requires comprehensive and collision. Removing them may violate the agreement and could cause the lender to add expensive force-placed coverage.
Get a straightforward liability quote
Call Sanctuary Insurance Services or get your personalized liability insurance quote online.